Buccaneer Cornerback Aqib Talib's Absence Opens Door for E.J. Biggers

TAMPA BAY CORNERBACK E.J. BIGGERS got his first start of the season on Sunday against Kansas City. He replaced the suspended Aqib Talib.

SCOTT WHEELER | THE LEDGER (2011)

By RICK BROWNTHE LEDGER

Published: Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at 1:37 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at 1:37 a.m.

TAMPA | With cornerback Aqib Talib on the shelf for at least three more games because of an NFL suspension for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances, all eyes turn to E.J. Biggers.

Facts

Biggers, who is entering his fourth year out of Western Michigan, got his first start of the season Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs and finished with two tackles and one pass deflection that led to Ronde Barber's 78-yard interception return for a touchdown.

For Biggers, it was a performance he's been waiting for in what has been a crazy year for him.

He was inactive for the first three games of the season recovering after injuring his foot on the first day of training camp. He saw some duty against Washington, then got the nod when Talib's suspension was announced Saturday.

Biggers started six games in 2011 and had mixed results. A year later, he's been itching to show he has what it takes to be a strong corner.

"I think I play the same way at all times," the former seventh-round pick said. "As a defensive back, you can't lack confidence. You have to play hard, do your job and try to make plays when they come your way and deny your man the ball. Like coach (Greg Schiano) says, if you do your job, great things will happen."

When he was rehabbing his injury, Biggers said he had a discussion with former Tampa Bay captain Derrick Brooks, who offered some great advice: Stay mentally into the game, and be ready when your number is called.

"Everything happens for a reason, so that was something to keep me focused," Biggers said. "I did that, stayed in the playbook, got back on the field and everything is right back in place."

The plan was to have Biggers as the third cornerback this season, but the Bucs aren't afraid to call his number when needed.

"E.J. did a good job," safety Ahmad Black said. "He played like we know how he can play. That's why he's out there. He's going to get better each week."

How long he will be a starter is up in the air.

Schiano said Monday the plan is when Talib's suspension expires Nov. 5, he will be back with the team.

"He's going to be back with us," Schiano said. "There are no absolutes in anything in this world. I may not be here when he gets back. Who knows? But that's was the plan. We're going to move forward at that point. Things change day to day, week to week, month to month. I can't tell you exactly how things are going to be a month from now. I hope we won a bunch of games in a row. So the plan is to have him back here with us.

"Every decision that we make as an organization has one thing in mind, and that's what's best for the organization," he said. "It's not just winning. That's what you do in this league. There's 32 teams in this league and we're all chasing one prize. When you're part of a community, there's a lot of things that go into the decision. I can tell our fans and all the people who care about this, we're going to do what's best for the organization, which is what's best for everybody. You're just going to have to trust us with this."

In the meantime, the team has confidence in Biggers, who has started 13 games in his career and has two interceptions, along with 24 pass deflections.

"We're going to miss (Talib), but E.J. has played a lot of games in this league," safety Ronde Barber said. "He's started I don't know how many games, but enough that everyone is comfortable he's out there."

Note: Schiano said defensive end Da'Quan Bowers likely will practice some for the first time Wednesday. Bowers started the season on the physically unable to perform list with an Achilles injury. Once he gets on the field, the Bucs will have three weeks to determine whether to activate him, put him on injured reserve or release him.

<p>TAMPA | With cornerback Aqib Talib on the shelf for at least three more games because of an NFL suspension for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances, all eyes turn to E.J. Biggers.</p><p>Biggers, who is entering his fourth year out of Western Michigan, got his first start of the season Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs and finished with two tackles and one pass deflection that led to Ronde Barber's 78-yard interception return for a touchdown.</p><p>For Biggers, it was a performance he's been waiting for in what has been a crazy year for him.</p><p>He was inactive for the first three games of the season recovering after injuring his foot on the first day of training camp. He saw some duty against Washington, then got the nod when Talib's suspension was announced Saturday.</p><p>Biggers started six games in 2011 and had mixed results. A year later, he's been itching to show he has what it takes to be a strong corner.</p><p>"I think I play the same way at all times," the former seventh-round pick said. "As a defensive back, you can't lack confidence. You have to play hard, do your job and try to make plays when they come your way and deny your man the ball. Like coach (Greg Schiano) says, if you do your job, great things will happen."</p><p>When he was rehabbing his injury, Biggers said he had a discussion with former Tampa Bay captain Derrick Brooks, who offered some great advice: Stay mentally into the game, and be ready when your number is called.</p><p>"Everything happens for a reason, so that was something to keep me focused," Biggers said. "I did that, stayed in the playbook, got back on the field and everything is right back in place."</p><p>The plan was to have Biggers as the third cornerback this season, but the Bucs aren't afraid to call his number when needed.</p><p>"E.J. did a good job," safety Ahmad Black said. "He played like we know how he can play. That's why he's out there. He's going to get better each week."</p><p>How long he will be a starter is up in the air.</p><p>Schiano said Monday the plan is when Talib's suspension expires Nov. 5, he will be back with the team.</p><p>"He's going to be back with us," Schiano said. "There are no absolutes in anything in this world. I may not be here when he gets back. Who knows? But that's was the plan. We're going to move forward at that point. Things change day to day, week to week, month to month. I can't tell you exactly how things are going to be a month from now. I hope we won a bunch of games in a row. So the plan is to have him back here with us.</p><p>"Every decision that we make as an organization has one thing in mind, and that's what's best for the organization," he said. "It's not just winning. That's what you do in this league. There's 32 teams in this league and we're all chasing one prize. When you're part of a community, there's a lot of things that go into the decision. I can tell our fans and all the people who care about this, we're going to do what's best for the organization, which is what's best for everybody. You're just going to have to trust us with this."</p><p>In the meantime, the team has confidence in Biggers, who has started 13 games in his career and has two interceptions, along with 24 pass deflections.</p><p>"We're going to miss (Talib), but E.J. has played a lot of games in this league," safety Ronde Barber said. "He's started I don't know how many games, but enough that everyone is comfortable he's out there."</p><p>Note: Schiano said defensive end Da'Quan Bowers likely will practice some for the first time Wednesday. Bowers started the season on the physically unable to perform list with an Achilles injury. Once he gets on the field, the Bucs will have three weeks to determine whether to activate him, put him on injured reserve or release him.</p>